Breaking hands on rubber

[harmbu]

Can a pitcher start with his hands together in the windup position, separate them and then put them back together when he starts his motion? This is FED and there are no runners on base if this makes any difference.

Thanks for the help. I don't have my rule book or case book handy.

[Huskerblue]

If the pitcher steps on the rubber with hands together and then separates them, that constitutes the start of his delivery. If he pauses after separation, that would be an illegal pitch and a ball added to the count. Balk if runners on base. Now if the pitcher starts his motion and separates his hands and then brings them back together during the course of his delivery, I think there would be no violation.

[harmbu]

That is what I was thinking. Do you have a rule number for me? Thanks again.

[Huskerblue]

I do not know what the rule citation is right off hand. I was just shooting from the hip.

[SanDiegoSteve]

6-1-2

Many pitchers adjust the baseball in their glove, then remove their pitching hand from the glove, and then bring the hands together to start their motion. This is typically permitted.

[David B]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

6-1-2

Many pitchers adjust the baseball in their glove, then remove their pitching hand from the glove, and then bring the hands together to start their motion. This is typically permitted.

Not typical where I've umpired. In FED once he puts his hands together, any movement must be a start to pitch or its a balk. (Unless of course he steps back with his non-pivot foot first)

Thanks
David

[kraine27]

If a pitcher steps onto the pitching plate, places his pitching hand into his glove to adjust the ball, then removes his hand and puts it to his side, what advantage is gained here? Why would you call a balk?

[LMan]

Originally Posted by David B

Not typical where I've umpired. In FED once he puts his hands together, any movement must be a start to pitch or its a balk. (Unless of course he steps back with his non-pivot foot first)

Thanks
David

Here we permit the 'adjustment' of the ball, as long as the pitching hand remains in the glove. Once/if the empty hand leaves the glove, its a balk.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by mrniceguy

Same here, Maybe this is a sectional difference whre in California they make up new rules. But to me this is clearly a balk.

California-Indiana-Georgia-Timbuktoo


When a pitcher breaks his hands while in the windup with no runners it should be a "don't do that again." It's time to dust off the plate and tell F2 to see to it his pitcher understands. If he does it again, it's an illegal pitch.


Tim.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by David B

Not typical where I've umpired. In FED once he puts his hands together, any movement must be a start to pitch or its a balk. (Unless of course he steps back with his non-pivot foot first)

Thanks
David

A momentary adjustment of the ball is typically allowed where common sense and knowledge of the intent of the rule are found. This has been the case in various areas in which I have worked FED games including California and Washington State. It is also allowed at the Regional and State tournament levels in Washington and was included in the mandatory FED clinic a few years back.